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Cover of The Bird in the Egg, written and illustrated by D.G. Alonso
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The Bird
in the Egg

Written and illustrated by D.G. Alonso

A picture book about courage for shy kids scared of new things — ages 4–6

The world seems like a wonderful place to explore — until Finch decides it’s far too scary and hides back inside his egg. A gentle story about facing your fears and stepping out of your comfort zone.

  • Ages 4–6
  • 24 pages
  • Picture book
shopping_bag Get it on Amazon · $6.99 Free activity sheet

5.0 on Amazon (3 ratings)

The Children’s Book Review emblem ★ Editor’s Pick ★

What reviewers say

An Editor’s Pick from The Children’s Book Review

“Comforting and reassuring, The Bird in the Egg is the perfect story for any child who needs a little extra encouragement to step out of their comfort zone.”

— The Children’s Book Review (TCBR), Editor’s Pick

  • “…gentle and resonant meditation on the fears that come with growing up and facing the world…”
  • “…courage is portrayed not as the absence of fear, but as choosing to leave your shell anyway.”
  • “The vulnerable but feisty little bird offers young readers a protagonist in whom they can easily see themselves reflected.”
  • “The narration is woven through with gentle humor… creating a text that can entertain readers on multiple levels.”
  • “The beautiful artwork juxtaposes a background of expressive white linework on a vivid single-color palette in warm yellow with a portrayal of Finch himself in bold, bright blues and blacks.”

What to expect: fear, change, growing up, independence, missing out.

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The story

Why does Finch hide in an eggshell?

When Finch first pops out of his egg, the world looks like a wonderful place to explore. Then come a close brush with a hawk, a fall into a spider web and some very angry bees — and Finch decides the world is a very scary place.

His brilliant idea: stay safe by hiding in his egg. But hiding doesn’t make the world any safer. It only makes him miss everything happening around him. After a chat with a wise old owl, Finch starts to wonder if facing his fears might be worth it.

Finch, a little blue bird, standing with an eggshell over his head

In the studio

Finch’s world keeps growing.

Stories from D.G. Alonso’s drawing table: how the book was finished, Finch in motion, and what comes next.

Watch

Finch, in motion

David animated Finch himself for the book’s trailer and teaser. Press play to watch him fly in, or see him peek out of the dark.

More animation in the studio →
Trailer
Teaser
Finch’s design evolution: four sketches from the original chick to the dynamic Finch
Character design

How Finch was born

From a dream and a yellow chick to the blue bird in the book: four design stages and the colors that make him stand out.

See the evolution →
Finch, a little blue bird, with an eggshell over his head
Finished work

From cover to animation

The front and back covers, Finch’s walk cycle and his pava — everything that came after the last page.

Read the post →
Concept sketch for a new BirdBulb story: a red bird and friends drawn on a bright blue background
Work in progress

Life — a new story

Early sketches for D.G. Alonso’s next picture book, about the people who shape our lives. See how a character system becomes a story.

Go behind the pages →
Cover of The Adventures of Finch, a coloring book by D.G. Alonso
Coming soon

The Adventures of Finch

A coloring book with Finch and his forest friends. Grab your crayons — let’s paint!

See the covers →
Coming soon · Coloring book

Color with Finch

The Adventures of Finch is an original coloring and activity book for ages 4–8, made to go with The Bird in the Egg. Here are a few of its pages — print eight free, and get a new one by email every month.

Coloring page: Finch, with his eggshell on, stands on top of a friendly elephant’s head
A new friend, a whole new view
Coloring page: Finch paddles across a river on a crocodile’s back while two birds row canoes past tall rocks and a fish peeks out of the water
Who needs a boat? Finch has a crocodile
Coloring page: Finch, still in his eggshell, bumps into a big smiling bear in the forest and sees stars
Oops! Finch bumps into a bear
Activity page: an egg-shaped maze titled Help Finch Find the Egg
Maze: help Finch find his egg

Download 8 pages, free

These four and four more, ready to print at home or in class.

downloadGet the pages

For parents and teachers. By downloading, you agree to get occasional emails from BirdBulb about new books and activities. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy

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paletteAll studio posts

Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Silver medal seal

Award winner

Silver Medal, Best First Book — Picture Book

2026 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. A first book, self-published, recognized alongside titles from established presses.

Bring Finch home

The Bird in the Egg by D.G. Alonso, with the Moonbeam Silver Medal seal on the cover

Kindle eBook

$6.99

Read it tonight on any Kindle, tablet or phone. Delivered instantly through Amazon.

  • checkInstant delivery
  • checkRated 5.0 by Amazon readers
  • workspace_premiumMoonbeam Silver Medal · Editor’s Pick
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For parents and teachers

A read-aloud about shyness, courage and trying new things

Some children need a little time before they’re ready to step into something new. Finch is one of them. His story gives kids a gentle way to talk about being scared of the unknown, what we miss when we hide, and choosing to step out of our shell anyway.

  • Facing fears
  • Change
  • Growing up
  • Independence
  • Missing out
  • Courage
Teacher’s guide Parent’s guide Free activity sheet
Author & illustrator
D.G. Alonso
Reading age
4–6 years
Length
24 pages · 450 words
Language
English
Published
Publisher
David Gonzalez Alonso (BirdBulb)
ISBN-13
979-8-218-86116-2
Awards
Silver Medal, Best First Book – Picture Book, 2026 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards · Editor’s Pick, The Children’s Book Review

Questions

About the book

What age is The Bird in the Egg for?

It is written for children ages 4 to 6, and works as a preschool or kindergarten read-aloud — a good fit for circle time, the first day of school or any big change.

What is the book about?

When Finch first pops out of his egg, the world looks wonderful. After a close brush with a hawk, a fall into a spider web and some angry bees, he decides the world is too scary and hides in his egg. Hiding only makes him miss out, and after a chat with a wise old owl he chooses to face his fears.

Is it a good book for kids who are afraid of new things?

Yes. The Children’s Book Review calls it “the perfect story for any child who needs a little extra encouragement to step out of their comfort zone.”

How long is the book?

It is a 24-page picture book of about 450 words, short enough to read in one sitting.

Has the book won awards?

Yes. It won the Silver Medal for Best First Book – Picture Book at the 2026 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, and it is a TCBR Editor’s Pick from The Children’s Book Review.

Who wrote and illustrated it?

D.G. Alonso, a children’s author, illustrator and architect born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and now based in Texas, wrote and illustrated the book. Read his story.

Are there free coloring pages of Finch?

Yes. Eight printable coloring and activity pages of Finch are free to download — made for ages 4 to 8 and ready for standard letter paper. Get the free coloring pages.

Can teachers use The Bird in the Egg in class?

Yes. There is a free teacher’s guide with discussion questions and activities, and a free printable activity sheet.

What themes does The Bird in the Egg explore?

Fear, change, growing up, independence and missing out — and the courage it takes to step out of your comfort zone.

Where can I buy it?

On Amazon: the Kindle edition is $6.99 and can be read on any Kindle, tablet or phone.

D.G. Alonso, author and illustrator, at his drawing desk sketching Finch

About the author

D.G. Alonso

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I was surrounded by vibrant colors, rich traditions, and a deep love for storytelling. Spanish is my first language, and it continues to shape the rhythm, warmth, and spirit of everything I create.

My career blends three creative paths — author, illustrator, and architect. Architecture taught me how to design spaces with intention, while storytelling and illustration allow me to fill those spaces with imagination and life.

I grew up in Arecibo in a middle-class family that taught me dedication, hard work, and to always dream big. Years later, designing buildings in Texas, I picked up my pencils again — and after three years of work, Finch was born.